Pavlik is the linear middleweight champion and brings a record of 36-1(32 ko's) into the ring. Martinez is 44-2-1, holds a light middleweight belt and is stepping up to challenge Kelly.
This is the first time Pavlik is facing a man who is a real threat to take his middleweight championship since he won it by knocking out Jermain Taylor(the Hopkins fight was above the 160lb limit).
Pavlik is the bigger man and heavier puncher in the fight, Martinez is the slicker, faster boxer.
Martinez' last time in the ring just four months ago he found himself in a brutal war with Paul Williams which a lot of people(including me) think he won.
Already being in his mid-30's and coming off a brutal fight like that I don't think Martinez is ever going to be the same, Pavlik is not going to have to deal with same Martinez that Williams did.
Based on that I'm picking Pavlik TKO 9
The first fight will be Lucian Bute(25-0) vs Edison Miranda(33-4) from Montreal.
The arena will be sold out with Bute fans and one way or the other the fight will end in a KO.
For anybody that is interested Top Rank is going to stream the undercard fights from New Jersey for free(I think):
http://www.fightnews.com/?p=42961
Rising welterweight Mike Jones whom I believe(along with Antwone Smith) will be one of the top boxers in the world will be on the stream.
Hulk Smash
Senior Member
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306
posts
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Hulk Smash
Senior Member
306
posts
Fri, Apr 16, 2010 8:50 AM
Apr 16, 2010 8:50 AM
Apr 16, 2010 8:50am